Country Quote by William Ellery Channing
“The cry has been that when war is declared, all opposition should therefore be hushed. A sentiment more unworthy of a free country could hardly be propagated. If the doctrine be admitted, rulers have only to declare war and they are screened at once from scrutiny. . . . In war, then, as in peace, assert the freedom of speech and of the press. Cling to this as the bulwark of all our rights and privileges.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on free speech, 1845
War is used to silence dissent, but true liberty demands speech and press freedom even in conflict.
In simple terms: War silences, but freedom requires open speech.
Key Takeaway
Defend speech rights regardless of war.
Themes
freedom
speech
war
rights
Mood
defiant
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- wartime censorship
- political rallies
- media reporting
Key Concepts
civil liberties
government power
public discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards protect speech in wartime?
- How to balance security and liberty?
A Different Perspective
National security concerns may limit speech.
![“There has never been a just [war], never an honorable one--on the part of the instigator of the war. I can see a million years ahead, and this rule will never change in so many as half a dozen instances. The loud little handful--as usual--will shout for the war. The pulpit will--warily and…” quote by Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d1f/mark-twain-22_every-man_there-has-never-been-a-just-war-never-an_846521.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
